Quotations and Literature Forum

Good morning, friends!

I am trying to discover the origin of the following saying:

"The chair is against the wall"

What is meant by this? It was heard during normal conversation and I know it must refer to SOMETHING, but what?

I will be grateful if someone could enlighten me on this.

Thanks so much! Have a wonderful, wonderful day EVERYBODY!!

Literally, this means that the position of the chair is next to the wall. Perhaps the writer meant the chair is " leaning " against the wall.
This could also be an idiom, meaning something entirely different from the dictionary meaning of the words in the phrase. If so, I have no idea whatsoever of an idiomatic meaning. I've never ever heard such an expression used idiomatically.

Tt's from the movie Red Dawn, it is simply codewords for something, here is the quote:
Radio Free America Announcer: It's 11:59 on Radio Free America; this is Uncle Sam, with music, and the truth until dawn. Right now I've got a few words for some of our brothers and sisters in the occupied zone: "the chair is against the wall, the chair is against the wall", "john has a long mustache, john has a long mustache". It's twelve o'clock, American, another day closer to victory. And for all of you out there, on, or behind the line, this is your song. [the Battle Hymn of the Republic begins to play]

The phrase, "john has a long mustache," was actually used as a code-signal by the French Resistance during World War II.

Thank you, Phaedrus

It could very well be a personal, private idiom, recognized by two individuals involved in a particular conversation. Maybe two people who remembered the line from the movie and shared a fondness for that line, found it an appropriate one in the conversation that they were having. Could be one of those "things" that only they two share.

Thanks again, kind moderator! Have a great day!


P.S.
Other suggestions by anyone with different ideas are still welcome.

The phrase dates back to WWII. Allied radio would broadcast code phrases messages to various resistance groups in Europe. In the film "The Longest Day" this and several other famous phrases instructed French resistance forces to prepare for the D-Day invasion. The use of the phrase in the film "Red Dawn" was done in homage. Other famous phrases include "John has a long mustache", "There is a fire at the travel agency", "Wounds my heart with a monotonous languor"

Thank you DrTanaka! I appreciate this very much.

It helps alot when hearing a phrase, to know where it originated so you can follow the context of a remark.

Have a great day!

Peace & Love to you and yours,
...peaceloveharmony

Also, it is being used to as a kind of inside joke on the internal changes the country is going through right now. Some believe we are being "invaded" internally by Socialism or Fascism. Tying the theme of the movie "Red Dawn" to Obama's "Change"
Perhaps this is what you may have heard them talking about?
Cheers.

Thanks BulletTooth!

And Cheers to you too!

What you tell me makes PERFECT sense, especially in the context in which it was used and overheard.

So, your post is very helpful. I appreciate it.

HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY!!


...PEACE, LOVE, HARMONY ...